Maxims & Wise Counsel

Na frithail in n-airchisecht nachit·chobradar.

(do not * attend to * the * compassion * that does not help you)

Do not entertain the pity that does you no good.

Secht asa midithar duine...

Secht asa midithar duine: cruth ocus cenél, tír ocus trebad, dán ocus indmas ocus indracus.

(seven * from which * is estimated * person * form * and * kindred * land * and * homestead * craft * and * personal wealth * and integrity)

Seven things by which a man is judged: appearance and lineage, land and home, profession and possessions and integrity.

Samaltir in molad doínde...

Samaltir in molad doínde fri laithe ar a gairti mbís.

(is likened * the * praise * human * to * day * according to * its * shortness * that it always is)

Human praise is likened to a day because of the short time it endures.

Rochúala la nech légas libru...

Rochúala la nech légas libru:
intí ances in mbidbaid
is é fessin as bidbu.

(I have heard * by * one * who reads * books /
the one * who protects * the * criminal /
is * he * (him)self * that is * criminal)

I’ve heard from one who reads books:
he who protects a criminal
is himself a criminal.

Ní chomain-se th’fhírinne ar thoil daíne.

(not * should you trample * your * truth * according to * desire * of people)

You should not trample your truth to please others.

Masa brec gach dan suad...

Masa brec gach dan suad,
is brec brat ’s as brec biad;
’s as brec an domhan uli,
’s as brec fos an duine criad.

(if is * lie * every * poem * of sages /
is * lie * cloak * and * is * lie * food /
and * is * lie * the * world * all /
and * is * lie * yet * the * man * of clay)

If the poems of the wise are lies,
clothing and food are lies;
and the whole world is a lie,
and even man of clay is a lie.

La cach mboin a boinín.

(with * each * cow * her * calf)

To every cow her calf. The calf belongs to the cow.

Is fíach ní dlomthar.

(is * debt * thing * that is proclaimed)

A thing that is proclaimed is a debt. Whatever is publicly declared is owed.

Nocho bí tuile cen tart.

(not * exists * flood * without * drought)

There is never a flood that does not dry up.

Trí fuiric thige degduini...

Trí fuiric thige degduini: cuirm, fothrucud, teine mór.

(three * hospitalities * of house * of a good man * ale * a bath * a fire * big)

Three hospitalities of a good man’s house: ale, a bath, a big fire.